About Catostomus macrocheilus Girard, 1856
This species, Catostomus macrocheilus, commonly called the largescale sucker, has a rounded snout with a downturned mouth positioned on the underside of its head, unlike the terminal mouth found at the end of the head in most fish. It has large scales and a narrow caudal peduncle, which is the base of its tail. Juveniles are under 4 inches (10 cm) long, while adults in some parts of the species' range can grow up to 24 inches (61 cm) in length and weigh up to 7 pounds (3.2 kg). Juveniles have mottled brown or olive green coloration with dark spots and a white to yellow belly, whereas adults have bronze to orange coloring on their upper bodies with lighter undersides. The largescale sucker is native to the Pacific Northwest, ranging from British Columbia in the north southward to Oregon. It is widespread throughout the Columbia River system. It inhabits the slower-moving sections of rivers and streams, as well as lakes.
